In a message dated 7/3/2003 1:14:05 PM Eastern Standard Time,
shamerdinger@... writes:

>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE---JULY 2, 2003
> Commissioner Delivers Plan And Alternate Proposals To The Governor
> Montgomery---Commissioner Kathy Sawyer delivered her recommendations for
> consolidation and closure of some of the state's mental health
> facilities to the Governor on Tuesday, July 1, 2003. Along with a copy
> of her plan, she included alternate proposals from other interested
> parties. "I wanted to give the Governor an unfiltered version of my
> recommendations and an unfiltered version of alternate plans so that he
> could get a complete picture," said Sawyer. In May the Commissioner
> conducted a series of "Town Meetings" at every facility affected by the
> plan. "I promised those in attendance that I would present their ideas
> and recommendations to the Governor and that's what I have done," Sawyer
> exclaimed. "The Governor will review the documents and meet with Sawyer
> when he returns to Montgomery. No decision will be made until he and the
> Commissioner have had the time to meet and discuss both sets of
> recommendations," said John Ziegler, Director of Public Information for
> the Department of Mental Health.
> "The Commissioner's plan is a capstone for the overall success that
> Alabama has achieved in developing a high quality network of
> community-based mental health services," said former Commissioner, Glen
> Ireland (DMH/MR Commissioner 1978-1982). "Even in the early 80's we knew
> that the day would come when we would no longer need so many state
> institutions," said Ireland.
> The Arc of Alabama, a national advocacy organization for persons with
> mental retardation adamantly supports the Commissioner's plan. Recently
> they wrote, "the consolidation plan will avail monies to the majority of
> the population with mental retardation who are waiting for community
> services." Currently, there are over 2,000 people on the mental
> retardation waiting list to receive community services.
> The Alabama mental health system has in many ways served as a pacesetter
> for other mental health systems across the country. This is particularly
> true with respect to the movement of individuals from state institutions
> to quality community-based care. Thirty years ago Alabama mental health
> system facilities were serving large populations in institutional care
> on numerous campuses across the state. With over 95% of our clients now
> being served in the community, there is no longer the need for as many
> expensive institutional campuses. For example, in the early 70's Bryce
> Hospital in Tuscaloosa had over 5,000 patients. Today there are fewer
> than 350 patients at Bryce. Also, in the early 70's there were over
> 2,000 individuals with mental retardation at Partlow Developmental
> Center in Tuscaloosa. Today there are less than 150 people served at
> Partlow.
> The Commissioner's plan proposes consolidation of 7 of the state's 14
> mental health facilities but leaves an adequate number of institutions
> for those individuals who may require or may desire to be cared for in
> institutional settings. A further component of the plan is a
> comprehensive process and plan for employment opportunities for those
> employees affected by the consolidation plan. Finally, the plan includes
> alternative state uses for mental health facilities that would be
> closed. This would lessen the economic impact on communities.
> An email copy of the plan and alternate proposals may be obtained by
> calling the Public Information Office (334) 242-3417. In the near
> future, copies may be seen on the DMH/MR website www.mh.state.al.us.



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